Karo Murat has U.S. Visa in hand

Photo: Team Sauerland

Top rated IBF light heavyweight Karo Murat has received his U.S. visa, opening the door to his world title shot against IBF champion Bernard Hopkins. The July 13 bout in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center between Hopkins and Murat was cancelled by Golden Boy due to uncertainty whether Murat could enter the country. When the Hopkins-Murat bout was scrapped the IBF made Sergey Kovalev Hopkins’ mandatory, however Kovalev decided to challenge WBO champ Nathan Cleverly instead. Hopkins-Murat is now expected to be rescheduled.

“I have my U.S. visa in hand,” said Murat. “This can no longer stop me, the fight against Hopkins will come! I want to show the whole world, especially my fans, that I really have the potential to become world champion. Many thanks to Team Sauerland, especially Chris Meyer for the hard work that has taken a lot of time!”